CHICAGO AREA GOLFERS-THERE ARE 2 NEW CLUBHOUSES TO CHECK OUT.  So go take advantage of the opportunity and see both new places before or after your round of golf at the Preserve at Oak Meadows (L) in Addison OR Heritage Oaks Golf Club in Northbrook (R). Online see DuPagegolf.com or go visit HeritageOaksgc.com

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn or Facebook.

MAG*C Happens Here-Yes it does. Welcome to John Deere Classic Week.

(WRITING FROM TPC DEERE RUN in SILVIS ILLINOIS).

John Deere Classic week is here, quicker than normal with new dates. Because it’s now part of the 4th of July holiday weekend, which should bring the fans out to enjoy this PGA Tour event.

Defending champion Lucas Glover is back. But it’s disappointing that many other expected stars are not here as planned. Glover will need a strong comeback on Friday after an opening round of 74 (+3).

Several weeks back Bubba Watson was coming, but is not here. John Deere sponsored player Daniel Berger has withdrawn. Former PGA Champion and John Deere sponsors exemption from years back Jason Day, has also had to withdraw. But maybe an even bigger disappointment is that three-time champion Steve Stricker is also a WD. There is a Champions Tour major next week, and Stricker is reportedly nursing a lower-back strain. Get well Steve.

For Illinois golf fans, the full force of our local hero’s are here. Wheaton’s Kevin Streelman, Northbrook’s Nick Hardy, Highwood’s Patrick Flavin, Arlington Heights Doug Ghim, Luke Gannon from the Champaign area, and Pekin’s DA Points.

Wheaton’s Kevin Streelman eyes a putt on the 9th green-his 18th hole at TPC Deere Run during Round 1.

Streelman had the best start, with an opening round of 69 (-2) his fourth straight round in the 60’s on tour.

That being said, Streelman admitted he didn’t have his best game in the opening round. He is looking to have a great finish this week, since he did not qualify for the British Open.

Streelman said he enjoys the open and is disappointed to not be going to the 150th edition of the championship which is being played at St. Andrews.

CLICK HERE to hear our interview with Kevin Streelman after Round 1 at the John Deere Classic.

Northbrook’s Nick Hardy ponders his putt on the 18th green (which he made), in Round 1 of the JDC.

Northbrook’s Nick Hardy was sailing along most of Round 1 under par. But then that short little par-3 16th hole popped up and nearly ruined Hardy’s day.

Hardy hit his tee shot in a greenside bunker. So it seemed that was no big deal, after Hardy put his bunker shot 13 feet from the cup.

Now facing a par saving putt, Hardy ended up three-putting and making a costly double bogey. Which was not exactly what Hardy had in mind. But Hardy then showed what good players do, he rallied to birdie both 17 and 18 to finish at even par. But Hardy knows he will have to play good in Round 2, to make the weekend cut.

CLICK HERE to hear the Round 1 interview with Northbrook’s Nick Hardy.

Flavin started his round with a bogey on the first hole, after his approach shot found a greenside bunker. But after both playing partners missed the second fairway with their tee shots. Flavin ripped his tee shot down the middle of the par-5 second hole and made birdie. Flavin is -1 after 18 holes. Ghim was fighting his driver mid-round and was +1 after his first 18 holes.

Patrick Flavin tee’s off on the par-5 second hole, he went on to make a birdie and get back to even par.

The story of the day was still J.T. Poston’s 8 under par 63.

Poston who has 1 career victory on the PGA Tour, was putting great all round.

The leaderboard so far suggests yet another first time winner on tour, at this weeks tournament.

But can Poston hold off the field and go wire-to-wire.

Time will tell. But I’m hoping the galleries grow as the weekend comes along. Things were quiet at TPC Deere Run for Round 1. Follow the classic at PGATour.com, and root on our local players.

But if your headed down to the tournament, you can get tickets on site. Details at Johndeereclassic.com.

THE NEW CLUBHOUSE at THE PRESERVE at OAK MEADOWS has officially opened. So get the full menu for lunch and dinner Wednesday’s-to-Sunday’s. Then go tee it up on the award winning Preserve golf course-renovated by Greg Martin DuPagegolf.com.

2021 John Deere Classic champion Lucas Glover speaks at media day-previewing this years championship.

THIS WEEKS JOHN DEERE CLASSIC should be a good one.

Because of new dates (A week earlier than normal) and being part of a holiday weekend. There is plenty of time for the people of the Quad Cities area to come out and enjoy the biggest summer event in town.

A few weeks back the JDC brought back 2021 championship Lucas Glover, and Highwood Illinois sponsors exemption Patrick Flavin in for media day. The media day was held at the Bally’s Casino instead of the normal location TPC Deere Run.

After the main press conference was over, Glover did a series of 1 on 1 interviews, including a 1 on 2, with both Golfers on Golf and Quad Cites writer Tom Johnston of the Moline Dispatch and Rock Island Argus newspapers.

Glover was kind enough to discuss pretty much every topic in the world of golf, during a 20+ minute session that sprayed to all fairways. Topics included the JDC, winning again on tour after a 10 year drought, equipment and today’s golf ball, winning the U.S. Open on a tough course (Bethpage-Black), and the LIV series of golf.

2021 JDC Championship Lucas Glover on a verity of topics in the world of golf.

Glover won the 2009 U.S. Open in rainy conditions. He won in the rain at the John Deere Classic last year on Sunday. But this in Silvis Illinois looks like good weather, a challenge maybe for Glover.

Follow the tournament all week at PGATour.com or at Johndeereclassic.com. Here from players on this Saturday’s Golfers on Golf Radio program. At WNDZ AM 750 10 Am is the tee time.

THE PRESERVE at OAK MEADOWS has officially opened it’s new clubhouse. So come out and enjoy golf and more. Get the details at DuPagegolf.com #ThePreserve

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn and Facebook.

University of Illinois golf coach Mike Small with the Illinois Senior Open trophy, at the Preserve at Oak Meadows.

MIKE SMALL IS NO STRANGER to winning tournaments and trophies in Illinois PGA Section events, and the 2022 Illinois Senior Open can now be added to his list of victories.

But while Small took home the first place check, it didn’t come easy.

Because Glen Oak Country Club head professional Danny Mulhearn didn’t go away so fast. Then there was amateur Mike Henry the Bloomington Illinois resident who ended up tied for second place with with Mulhearn.

Small the men’s golf coach at the University of Illinois, didn’t even have the lead after 18 holes, of the 36 hole event. Because he was two shots behind Mulhearn.

Mike Small follows his shot during Round 2 of the Illinois Senior Open.

But the deficit didn’t stay at two shots for very long. Because when Small made bogey on the par-5 second hole, and Mulhearn made birdie on the fourth hole, Small when then down three shots.

But Small answered with a birdie on short par-4 fourth hole, and then made eagle-3 on the par-5 fifth hole. Small’s second shot on the fifth hole, was nearly a double-eagle 2. So all Small had to do was tap-in for eagle. Going three under par for two holes, put Small right back on Mulhearn’s heels, and the battle was on.

Mulhearn then upped his lead with a birdie on the par-4 sixth hole to three shots. But that didn’t last. While Small and Henry were making par’s on holes 7-8 and 9. Mulhearn had his difficulties, and made bogeys on 7 and 9, dropping back into a tie for the lead.

The draft beers at the Preserve at Oak Meadows are all brewed in DuPage County.

After 12 holes there was still a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard. But then Small hit the green on the par-5 13th hole in two shots. After lagging his eagle putt close to the hole, Small made birdie while Mulhearn and Henry settled for par. Small now lead for the first time.

But after a Small bogey on the par-5 15th hole, as Mulhearn and Henry made pars, the lead was back to being a three-way tie.

Then the par-4 16th, which had the tee’s moved up to 290 yards as a risk-reward short par-4, saw Small gamble and go for the green. The gamble paid off as Small hit the green with his drive and then drained a 65-foot eagle putt for a two. Henry made birdie to stay within one shot, and after a poor chip Mulhearn made par and was now two shots back of Small.

Then Small missed the par-3 17th green with his tee shot, and could not get up and down t save par. Henry did make par and tied Small once again for the lead, with Mulhearn now one shot back.

The 18th hole was an incredible finish. After all three players hit the fairway on their tee shots. Henry missed his approach shot into a greenside bunker, Small followed up and also missed inti a greenside bunker. Mulhearn’s approach hit the far backside of the green, but he had a birdie putt.

Henry left his first bunker shot in the bunker, then after reaching the green on his third shot, three-putted for double-bogey. Small blasted out of the bunker and just a two-foot putt to save par. Mulhearn then needed his birdie putt to force a playoff, but it came up just short of the cup, giving Small the win.

“I thought it was a well played round for all three of us for about 14 holes,” said Small. “Starting on 15 we all made a variety of errors. I didn’t have my best stuff there at the end, but was just able to hand on.”

The 2022 Illinois Senior Open, was the first state open to be played at The Preserve at Oak Meadows in Addison. It’s likely it won’t be the last. A full scoreboard can be found at IPGA.com.

HERITAGE OAKS 3535 DUNDEE ROAD IN NORTHBROOK is open with a new name, a new clubhouse, new Trackman range and renovated golf course. So do check out one of the Chicago’s area’s new golf facilities, part of the Northbrook Park District. You can call the club for tee times at (847)-291-2351, or online check out HeritageOaksGC.com.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With Bull Valley Golf Club owner and candidate for Governor of Illinois Gary Rabine. Vote Rabine in Tuesdays primary election.

(WRITING FROM WILMINGTON DE.)

Why Wilmington De. you ask. Because today is BMW Championship media day, at Wilmington Country Club.

One of the top courses in Delaware and most recently renovated by architect Keith Foster in 2008, Wilmington Country Club’s South Course will be a fine home for the 2022 BMW Championship. The clubs North Course was designed by Dick Wilson, the architect of Cog 4-Dubsdread.

The media group could be hearing from Patrick Cantlay today, the 2021 winner of the BMW Championship at Caves Valley. I’m also seeing an old historic public course called Rock Manor in Wilmington, that has a great story behind it. Rock Manor is a 100 year old course, which was saved from a road construction project, with great planning by architect Lester George.

More details on the Wilmington adventure in the days ahead.

WHY THE LIV…

THE LIV SERIES of golf has people talking, and plenty of it. But I still get questions about why would PGA Tour players jump tours, and risk severe penalties from the PGA Tour.

Because there are plenty of reasons to do so. So yes money is one of them, or maybe not just one reason why. But millions of reasons why. But ask yourself this question, if it was you. Would you like to work less days per year, and less hours per day, and make more money doing it. But of course you would.

SO IF you could work four days a week instead of five would you do it. The PGA Tour makes some of top stars get out of bed at 4 AM to make a 7:10 tee time. So does getting out of bed at 4 Am to go to work sound enticing to you. How about finishing your round at 5 PM, head back to hotel and have to be back at 6 AM the next day. Not always fun.

BECAUSE in other sports many players don’t starting at noon. You think NFL guys want to be getting hit at lunch time. NBA and NHL players look sluggish on early starts. Many baseball players hate day games. Say what you want about golf, but it is an athletic competition that you have to perform at the highest level to win and make money.

SPEAKING OF MONEY would you like to travel for work, spend money on plane fares, hotels and meals, and have to pay an associate (caddy) and then not get paid. Which is what happens when you miss the cut. So what happens when you make the cut, and the money barely covers expenses for the week. LIV golf guarantees a profit, even if you finish last.

IT’S BIGGER PURSES require player to rely less on corporate sponsors. Because companies paying you millions, require you to appear in ad’s. But also come to events where you need to hang out with a bunch of people you might not enjoy being with. Bottom line, it’s demands on your personal time that you don’t want to give up. IF YOUR A PRO GOLFER and you can make more money working 10-12 weeks a year than in 25 weeks a year, why not work 12 weeks.

PRO GOLFERS in some ways are like the rest of us. They have families, and could use the time off to deal with life brings them. So I think it’s time for the PGA Tour the DP European Tour and the LIV series to get together for the benefit of golf. Plus to all those world wide who love to watch the best players-play.

SHE MIGHT NOT HAVE WON BUT! Kudo’s to Lisa Copeland of Naperville, a fast rising star in golf. Copeland lost the Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) Junior championship in a playoff. But Copeland who is getting ready to start high school, lost to a player who is ready to start college. I suspect Copeland will win the WWGA Junior in the next four years, if she continues to play in the tournament.

JOHN DEERE CLASSIC WEEK IS HERE and that’s always a good thing. Because this year being a week earlier is great thing for the championship. 2022 could be one of the best fields at the JDC in recent memory. If your looking to see the PGA Tour in Illinois, head down to TPC Deere Run-always a lot of fun.

IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED YET-think about making one for Bull Valley Golf Club owner Gary Rabine (Ray-bine), Illinois could sure use a golfer in the governor’s mansion in Springfield. the golf industry in Illinois supplies plenty of jobs, and brings in plenty of dollars and tax dollars for the Illinois economy.

THE GOG BLOG returns tomorrow. RS

NEW GOLF COURSE-NEW CLUBHOUSE-NEW GRILL-NEW TRACKMAN RANGE Heritage Oaks Golf Club 3535 Dundee Road in Northbrook, is no longer your parents Sportsman’s. So see everything that is new at HeritageOaks.com or (847)-291-2351.

Chicago’s Favorite Foursome was back in the WNDZ-Am 750 Studio on Saturday. Ed Stevenson, Len Ziehm, Bill Berger and Rory Spears. The Gog Blog is written by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation.

LEN ZIEHM IS BACK IN TOWN and Nick Hardy is in contention on the PGA Tour at the Travelers in Hartford Ct..

So if you missed it, check out the Golfers on Golf Radio show from yesterday, with Len Ziehm in studio, and guests John Deere Classic Tournament Director Clair Peterson who is retiring later this year.

But jumping in from the election and campaign trail, was Bull Valley Golf Club owner Gary Rabine, who is running for Governor of Illinois.

The show is posted on our previous post.

LEN ZIEHM has posted yet another great travel piece at his site, Lenziehmongolf.com on the A-GA-Ming golf resort in Kewadin Michigan (Northern Michigan). So check it out.

DALLAS BASED TOPGOLF has announced it’s first location in the State of Iowa is coming to Des Moines, see Topgolf.com for more details.

MUSCAT RESORTS located in the country of Oman and in other locations in the Middle Eat and in Asia, has announced they have partnered with Troon management. Details at Troon.com.

THE JOHN DEERE CLASSIC has announced a sponsors exemption to former Southern Illinois University and MVC star Luke Gannon. Gannon recently survived USGA local and sectional qualifying to advance to the U.S. Open field at The Country Club. The John Deere Classic starts this week on June 30th. Johndeereclassic.com

GLEN FLORA GOLF CLUB will host this weeks 102nd CDGA Amateur, with 36 holes of stroke play tomorrow June 27. But then the top 16 players advance to match play, with the 36 hole championship match on Thursday June 30th. CDGA.org.

PAPA’s porch is open at the Club at Lac LaBelle

PAPA’S PORCH IS OPEN.

Just over a week ago the Gog Blog visited The Club at Lac La Belle.

But in spite of over 5 1/4 inches of rain the night before the course was in pretty good shape.

But now even more great news. Because Papa’s porch is open, named after founder Matt Morse, who passed away earlier this year. But in keeping with the spirit of Morse’s six grandkids, Papa’s porch has been born.

So if you haven’t visited The Club at Lac LaBelle, take the trip up, about 30 miles west of Milwaukee in Oconomowoc. But more details at Clubatlaclabelle.com.

DISNEY WORLD GOLF has announced a reimagining of it’s Magnolia Golf Course, with construction now underway. Golfersongolf.com will have more details in the days ahead.

The Gog Blog Speaks Out-returns tomorrow. RS

HERITAGE OAKS GOLF CLUB 3535 Dundee Road in Northbrook-not your Father’s Sportsman’s anymore. Updated and renovated golf course, NEW Clubhouse, NEW Trackman driving range, NEW practice green and bunkers. Really big NEW putting green. Indoor simulators for golf leagues, lessons and club fittings. But while you are there before or after golf, try the Acorn Grill. (847)-291-2351 or Heritageoaksgc.com.

GolfersonGolf.com is on the air at 10 Am today on WNDZ AM 750

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO is back for Week #8.

This week promises to be an exciting show.

The 4th member of Chicago’s Favorite Foursome, Len Ziehm is in the house live.

Our guests today include retiring John Deere Classic Tournament Director Clair Peterson. With a look ahead at this weeks John Deere Classic in Silvis Illinois.

Bull Valley Golf Club owner Gary Rabine who is running for Governor of the State of Illinois, joins us to discuss what political decisions the state faces, and how it could effect golf in Illinois.

Illinois Governor Hopeful Gary Rabine and Rory Spears.

Rabine is expected to be very charged up about how he expects to turn around the State of Illinois, should he become Governor.

So expect a great interview.

Tournaments are happening, this past week was the Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) Junior Girls Championship.

But also the Western Golf Association (WGA) Junior Championship for the boys. So stay tuned for championship results and more, that include the USGA Senior Open and the Women’s KPMG-PGA Championship.

***Adding now-todays show.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR this weeks edition of Golfers on Golf Radio on WNDZ-AM 750.

So thanks for listening Ed-Billy, Len and Rory.

HERITAGE OAKS GOLF CLUB 3535 Dundee Road in Northbrook is open and ready to welcome you back for golf and more. The new clubhouse is home to the Acorn Grill, and range is home to Trackman. See what else is new Heritageoaksgc.com or call the club at (847)-291-2351. Heritage Oaks Golf Club is part of the Northbrook Park District.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation

                        THE WOMEN’S WESTERN GOLF ASSOCIATION (WWGA) AND THE WESTERN GOLF ASSOCIATION (WGA) HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS.

THE  WOMEN’S WESTERN GOLF ASSOCATION has crowned it’s 95th WWGA-Junior Champion and it’s Jessica Mason, an 18 year old golfer from Westminster Colorado.

Mason held on to defeat Naperville’s Lisa Copeland who starts high school this fall. Mason won on the 19th hole by making a 30 foot birdie putt, that she did not think was going in.

She will attend Pomona College this fall in Claremont California. But Mason had the lead a 2 Up lead through 11 holes. But after three bogies, had to win 18 to force a playoff and she did.

So Mason wins the historic championship 50 years after the great Nancy Lopez won her first of three WWGA junior titles, Lopez won that title 50 years ago, at Prestwick CC home of this years championship.

WGA-BOYS JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP at NAPERVILLE COUNTRY CLUB.

Eduardo Derbez Torres a 16 year old from Mexico is the 2022, WGA Junior Champion. But it didn’t come easy.  Because Torres had to defeat Camden Smith from Ponta Vedra Beach Florida in a playoff. Both players finished with a score of 280-8 under par. But this was the first playoff in the Western Junior since 2015.

Torres needed a par on 18 to force a playoff. Then had to get up and down on the playoff hole to win. Torres tied the course record with a first round of 66. So he is the first player from Mexico to win the championship, and joins Collin Morikawa, Rickie Fowler and Jim Furyk as past champions.

Smith has committed to play his college golf at Mississippi State.

THE FRONT (L) what’s out back (R) the new look 18th green, with a chipping area that provides options for golfers in the green complex. At Heritage Oaks part of the Northbrook Park District it’s all new. See what the talk is about. Heritageoaksgc.com

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, or connect on LinkedIn and Facebook.

AT THE WESTERN JUNIOR-NAPERVILLE COUNTRY CLUB.

JACKSON BYRD made the cut, but with the help of his caddie who has made 270 cuts in the PGA Tour, his dad Jonathan Byrd who’s wins include the John Deere Classic.

Byrd and Eduardo Derbez Torres. Byrd of St. Simmons Island, Georgia, and Torres of Mexico are each at seven under par. But Six players are one shot back at 6 under par, after 36 holes. But there are 36 more holes of stroke play yet to be played.

Two players have hit remarkable shots. John Wild of Glen Ellyn Illinois made a hole-in-one on the par 3, 228 yard tenth hole. Zach Kingsland of San Antonio Texas recorded an Albatross (2) on the par five 532-yard par 5, fifth hole.

A 36 hole final comes up later today. But the top three finishers get exemptions in to the Western Amateur next month at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park Illinois.

AT PRESTWICK COUNTRY CLUB in Frankfort IL., It’s Addison Klonowski 17, of Naples Florida that earned the medalist position at the 95th WWGA Junior Championship. After 36 holes of stroke play Klonowski posted 74-73-147, to take home the medal by one shot over Chloe Tarkany of Scottsdale Arizona.

Klonowski has been competing in the WWGA-Junior since she was 13 in 2018. She also won the 2022 South Florida PGA Championship.

Lisa Copeland of Naperville that has reached Augusta National twice in the finals of the Drive-Chip and Putt. Did advance to the match play, that has 16 players.

But the final four players will battle it out on Friday. Trying so hard to win where Nancy Lopez won the same championship 50 years ago.

  THE NEW HERITAGE OAKS-a new clubhouse, the new Acorn Grill, the new driving range featuring Trackman, plus an improved golf course. 3535 Dundee Road located in Northbrook. Visit Heritageoaksgc.com or call the club at (847)-291-2351. Open daily.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn and Facebook.

The NEW Brava Golf Shaft by BGT

Breakthrough Golf for years has been producing shafts for putters.

But now it’s time to produce a shaft for drivers.

A shaft that creates maximum ball speed and SMASH factor. How and Why ? Because of better center strikes and better face angle hits.

Brava took the challenge and went head-to-head against two of the top performing shafts on the market. Brava defeated both other competitors by at least 10 yards.

BREAKHTOUGH GOLF CEO and Founder Barney Adams,” This has been in development for a while and we are obviously thrilled with the performance. What golfer doesn’t want to hit more good shots. We have added the best attributes in our Stability shafts and that let us inspire to develop a world class driver.”

With the Brava Shaft, better drives will take less effort. So try the Brava Shaft, ask your fitter to let you try Brava by Breakthrough Golf Technology.

WELCOME TO HERITAGE OAKS-No longer your Father’s Sportsman’s. Located at 3535 Dundee Road in Northbrook, Heritage Oaks is more than a new name, it’s a new golf course, new clubhouse, new Trackman driving range, new practice area’s. So why not come out and try Heritage Oaks and the Acorn Grill. Heritageoaksgc.com #NBPD

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Maverick for Men

Stellar for Women.

For golfers that want or need a lightweight golf bag. These new options from Sun-Mountain are now available. So if you need 11 pockets, 10″ tops and 14 club dividers.

Maverick is available in seven colors. Stellar in five colors. Sun Mountain has set the retail price at $229.99.

More features include where the cart strap pass is located behind the pockets, so the bag can be better secured when on a cart. Pockets are located for easy access during a round, when golfers need golf balls or other items.

So for more information visit Sunmountain.com or call (800)-227-9224 or visit your local Sun Mountain dealer.